Multi-hand poker game

ABSTRACT

A multi-hand poker game comprises the play of a plurality of poker hands as part of the same game. The game includes the step of selecting and assigning a set of poker rules to apply to each hand. Each poker hand is formed and the outcome of each hand is determined by comparison to the set of rules which was selected for that hand. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of using some of the same cards in each of the hands. In one embodiment, a player may customize hold and draw strategies for each hand in an attempt to obtain a winning result based upon the assigned poker rules for each hand.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/261,365, filed Sep. 30, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/802,515 filed Mar. 8, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,645.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to card games, and more particularly to poker-type card games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Poker is a popular card game which has many variations of play. As is known, the game of poker has been adapted for play on electronic gaming devices commonly referred to as “video poker machines.” In the game of video poker, a player attempts to obtain a hand of cards which comprise one or more predetermined winning card combinations. For example, the winning card combinations may comprise a pair of Jacks or better. The player attempts to obtain a hand including cards of at least a pair of Jacks or better.

[0004] In order to maintain the interest of players, a wide variety of game options have been presented. For example, in some games the amount which may be wagered or paid out varies. In other games, the hands which comprise predetermined winning hands varies.

[0005] One video poker game variation which is currently popular is known as TRIPLE PLAY™. In accordance with one arrangement of this game as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,873, a player is dealt a hand of cards. The player elects which of the cards in that first hand to hold. The cards held in the first hand are then duplicated to other hands, the number of additional hands depending generally on the amount bet by the player. This forms a number of hands each containing the exact same cards. The non-held cards in the first hand are then replaced to form a new first hand, and cards are added to the additional hands to complete those hands. The poker rank of each hand is then determined.

[0006] This poker game variation offers players the chance to increase the excitement of play by playing several hands of cards at the same time. On the other hand, a disadvantage of the game is that the cards which form the base or initial set of cards of each of the hands is always the same: the cards which were held from the first hand. Thus, the player in essence plays two or more of the same base hand and simply attempts to obtain additional cards which will make one of those base hands a winner.

[0007] It is desired to provide a game of poker which offers players the excitement of playing more than one hand of cards simultaneously, with greater excitement than present games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention comprises a method of playing a game. In one embodiment, the game is a poker-type game which involves the play of more than one hand of cards. The game includes the opportunity to apply different poker rules or poker variations to the various hands of cards.

[0009] The multiple poker hands may be formed in various manners. In one embodiment of a method, a set of cards are dealt. Cards are selected from the set of cards to be used in a first hand, the selected cards displayed as part of a first hand of cards. Cards are also selected from the set of cards to be used in a second hand, and those cards are displayed as part of a second hand of cards. Next, cards are added to the first and second hands to complete first and second hands of a predetermined number of cards. It is then determined if the first and/or second hands of cards comprise a predetermined winning combination of cards.

[0010] In one embodiment, the set of cards are dealt as the first hand and cards are selected from the first hand to be used in a second hand. Cards are then selected to be held in the first hand. The non-held cards from the first hand are discarded. The discarded cards in the first hand are then replaced to complete the first hand. Cards are also added, as necessary, to the second hand to complete the second hand of a predetermined plurality of cards. In one embodiment, the second hand also has five cards. In one embodiment, the outcome of the game is determined by comparing the first and second hands to predetermined combinations of winning cards.

[0011] In one embodiment, none, one or more, or all of the cards of the first hand may be used in the second hand, and none, one or more, or all of the cards in the first hand may be held. The cards which are selected for use/duplication and the cards which are held may be different.

[0012] In one embodiment, a number of additional hands of cards other than the first hand maybe played. The player is allowed to select none, one or more, or all of the cards from the first hand to be duplicated into each additional hand. The cards which are duplicated into the additional hands may be different from one another.

[0013] The multiple poker hands may be formed in other manners, including where cards held in a first set of cards are duplicated to all hands.

[0014] In one embodiment, different poker rules may be applied to each hand. The rules may define different winning combinations of cards. In accordance with one method, a selection is made, such as by player, of the game variation or rules which apply to each hand.

[0015] In one embodiment, the games of the invention may be implemented on a computing device and a computer may select the cards to be duplicated and the cards to be held.

[0016] One embodiment of the invention comprises a multi-hand card game in which a player is required to place a wager for each hand to be played. Winnings may be paid based on the amount wagered. Greater winnings may be paid for higher ranked hands.

[0017] In another embodiment, the player is permitted to play a plurality of hands based on a single wager. In this embodiment, the payout for receiving a winning hand in other than the first hand and/or the criteria for determining if a winning hand is received in other than the first hand may be varied.

[0018] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 illustrates a gaming device of the type which maybe used to implement a game in accordance with the invention for play by a player;

[0020]FIG. 2A illustrates a first hand of cards dealt in accordance with an example of a step of a method of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 2B illustrates an example of cards selected from the first hand illustrated in FIG. 2A for duplication into a second hand and the discarding of non-held cards in the first hand in accordance with steps of a method of the invention;

[0022]FIG. 2C illustrates resulting first and second hands after a replacement card has been dealt for the discarded card in the first hand and after additional cards have been dealt to complete the second hand of FIG. 2B in an example of steps of the method of the invention;

[0023]FIG. 3A illustrates a dealt first hand of cards and a second and third hand of cards into which cards from the first hand have been duplicated in an example of a method of the invention;

[0024]FIG. 3B illustrates resulting first, second and third hands after replacement and additional cards have been dealt to the hands illustrated in FIG. 3A;

[0025]FIG. 4A illustrates a first hand of cards dealt in accordance with an example of a step of the invention;

[0026]FIG. 4B illustrates an example of cards selected to be used in a second hand and selected to be held in the first hand illustrated in FIG. 4A in accordance with steps of a method of the invention;

[0027]FIG. 4C illustrates resulting first and second hands after additional cards have been dealt to the hands illustrated in FIG. 4B; and

[0028]FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which a player is permitted to select game rules or variations applicable to each hand of a game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The invention is a method of playing a game. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

[0030] In general, the invention comprises a method of playing a card game, and more particularly a multi-hand poker-type card game. In accordance with the invention, different poker rules may be applied to each of the hands, thus potentially producing different play strategies for each hand and different results or outcomes associated with the play of the hands.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more games of the invention are implemented or presented to a player with a gaming machine. FIG. 1 illustrates a gaming machine 20 in accordance with the invention. As illustrated, the gaming machine 20 includes a housing 22 for enclosing/supporting various components of the gaming machine. The gaming machine 20 includes a display 24 for displaying images of cards or other indicia. Speakers (not shown) or other devices may be provided for generating sound associated with the game.

[0032] In one embodiment, the game is played as a wager-type game which requires that a player place a bet or wager to play the game. Preferably, if the player is a winner of the game, then the player is provided an award, such as a monetary payout (such as coins) or other prizes. As illustrated, the gaming machine 20 may include a bill validator/acceptor 26 for accepting paper currency, and a coin acceptor 28 for accepting coins. Other means of payment, such as a credit card reader may be provided. An award of winnings in the form of coins may be paid to the player via a coin tray 30. Winnings may also be awarded in credits which are cashed out or stored in association with a player card or printed receipt.

[0033] Preferably, the gaming machine 20 includes means for a player to provide input. In one embodiment, this means comprises one or more buttons. For example, a plurality of card “hold” or “select” buttons 32 may be provided for permitting a player to hold/select cards in a hand. A deal/draw button 34 permits a player to indicate that they wish the game to start or to draw replacement cards. A bet button 36 is provided for a player to select the amount to bet on a particular game.

[0034] A game controller (not shown) is provided for controlling the various devices of the gaming machine and for providing game information. For example, the game controller may be arranged to generate video and audio data for presentation by the display and speakers of the gaming machine 20. The game controller may be arranged to detect a signal from the coin acceptor indicating the receipt of coins, and may be arranged to cause a coin delivery mechanism to deliver coins from a coin hopper to the coin tray 30.

[0035] It will be appreciated that the gaming machine 20 may have a variety of configurations and the gaming machine 20 illustrated and described above is but an example of a device for implementing the game of the present invention. In one or more embodiments, the gaming machine 20 may be associated with a network and receive game information remotely and may transmit information, such as payout and game play information, to a remote location.

[0036] One aspect of the invention is a method of creating a plurality of poker hands. As described herein, a plurality of methods may be used for creating or generating the multiple poker hands.

[0037] One embodiment of a method of generating multiple poker hands in accordance with the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A-C. In accordance with one method of playing a game, a first hand of cards 100 is dealt to a player. The cards may be dealt from a “deck” comprising a single deck of cards, or a plurality of decks of cards. In the preferred embodiment, the act of dealing comprises the generation of card information and the display of the card(s) to the player with the display. In this arrangement, the “deck” does not comprise a physical set of cards, but simply data regarding such cards.

[0038] In one embodiment, the first hand of cards 100 comprises five cards. Preferably, the cards are dealt face-up. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2A, the player has been dealt the Jack of Hearts, Jack of Diamonds, Queen of Diamonds, King of Diamonds, and King of Hearts.

[0039] Next, a player is permitted to use none, one or more, or all, of the cards of the first hand of cards 100 in a second hand of cards 200. Referring to FIG. 2A, when the first hand of cards 100 is dealt, spots or spaces for the cards of the second hand of cards 200 may be illustrated. In one embodiment, the second hand of cards 200 will comprise five cards. The selected cards from the first hand of cards 100 are displayed in the second hand of cards 200. In one embodiment, the card positions of the first and second hand of cards 100,200 are aligned in vertical columns. The selected cards from the first hand of cards 100 are duplicated or re-used (such as by displaying) in corresponding card positions of the second hand of cards 200. In other embodiments, the card positions need not align, and the cards which are duplicated or re-used need not be provided in matching or similar card positions. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the player has selected the Jack of Diamonds, Queen of Diamonds and King of Diamonds.

[0040] It will be understood that by the terms duplicating or re-using it is meant that the same card having the same rank/value and the like is associated with the second (or other additional) hand. In one embodiment, the card need not be “duplicated” in the sense that it is reproduced, although this is the most convenient method of illustrating to the player the association of that particular card with a hand. For example, the hands need not be displayed simultaneously, in which event, the duplicated card is not visually duplicated.

[0041] The player is also permitted to hold none, one or more, or all, of the cards of the first hand of cards 100. The held cards may be entirely different from the cards which were duplicated or re-used in the second hand of cards 200. As illustrated, the player has selected to hold the Jack of Hearts, Jack of Diamonds, the King of Diamonds, and the King of Hearts. The player has elected to discard the Queen of Diamonds.

[0042] Next, any non-held cards from the first hand of cards 100 are discarded and replaced. Any cards needed to complete the second hand of cards 200 are dealt or added to the second hand of cards 200. In the example illustrated, a single card is necessary to replace the discarded Queen of Diamonds in the first hand of cards 100. In addition, three cards are necessary to complete the second hand of cards 200. In one embodiment, the cards which are dealt in this step are from the same deck of cards from which the cards were dealt to the first hand of cards 100.

[0043] In the example illustrated, a King of Clubs has been dealt to the first hand of cards 100 to replace the discarded Queen of Diamonds. A Ten of Diamonds, a Jack of Diamonds, and an Ace of Diamonds have been dealt to the second hand of cards 200 to complete this hand.

[0044] The method of the invention may be extended to the play of more than one hand of cards in addition to the first hand. FIG. 3A illustrates such an example of this embodiment of the game. As illustrated, the game includes three hands of cards, a first hand of cards 100 a, a second hand of cards 200 a, and a third hand of cards 300 a.

[0045] The method of game play is similar to that described above, except that the player is permitted to select none, one or more, or all, of the cards from the first hand of cards 100 a to be used in the second hand of cards 200 a. The player is also permitted to select none, one or more, or all of the cards from the first hand of cards 100 a to be used in the third hand of cards 300 a. The cards which are selected to be used in the second hand of cards 200 a need not be the same as the cards which are selected to be used in the third hand of cards 300 a. Further, the cards which the player elects to hold in the first hand of cards 100 a need not be the same as the cards selected to be used in either or both of the second and third hands of cards 200 a,300 a.

[0046] In the example illustrated, the player has been dealt a first hand of cards 100 a comprising a Jack of Diamonds, Eight of Diamonds, Ace of Diamonds, Ace of Hearts, and Seven of Diamonds. The player has selected the Diamonds cards (the Jack, Eight, Ace and Seven of Diamonds) to be re-used in the second hand of cards 200 a. The player has selected the Jack of Diamonds, Ace of Diamonds and Ace of Hearts to be used in the third hand of cards 300 a. The player may elect to hold none, one or more, or all of the cards from the first hand of cards 100 a. Referring to FIG. 3B, the player elected to hold the Seven, Eight and Jack of Diamonds.

[0047] An example of the resulting hands after replacement cards have been dealt to the first hand of cards 100 a and additional cards have been dealt to the second and third hand of cards 200 a,300 a is illustrated in FIG. 3B. As illustrated, the first hand of cards 100 a resulted in a straight (Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten and Jack). The second hand of cards 200 a resulted in a Flush (all cards of the suit of Diamonds). The third hand of cards 300 a resulted in a Full House (a pair of Aces and three Jacks).

[0048] It will be appreciated that the principles of the invention may be applied to games including more than three hands of cards.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, the number of hands which a player is permitted to play may be dependent upon the size of bet or wager. As an example, a player may be required to place a first bet amount to play a game including two hands of cards. The player may be required to place a second, larger bet to play a game including three hands of cards.

[0050] As one aspect of the invention, the first set of cards may comprise a set from which card selections are made but which is ultimately not completed into a poker hand. For example, in the case of the game illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, after the player has made card selections from the first set of cards 100 a, that set of cards may no longer be used. Instead, the game may continue with the second and third sets of cards 200 a,300 a being completed into final hands.

[0051] In this configuration, the set of cards from which selections may be made may be more or less than 5 cards (such as 3 or 7). After selections have been made, that set of cards maybe removed from the screen so that the player understands that the set is for selection purposes only and does not form a hand which is being played for a winning/losing result.

[0052] It will be appreciated that the multiple poker hands may be formed in a variety of ways other than that described herein. For example, the multiple poker hands may be formed in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,568 to Hachquet or U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,873, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more of the cards used in one poker hand may be used, either by duplication at the time cards are displayed or by holding and/or moving cards, into the other hand(s) of cards.

[0053] In one or more embodiments of the methods, the first and/or additional hands may comprise other than five cards. For example, the first hand may comprise seven cards and the other hands five cards. This provides a player with a greater number of cards to select from for duplication into other hands. The outcome of the first hand may be based upon the best five card hand.

[0054] In one embodiment, there may be no “draw” on the first hand. For example, after the player has selected cards for duplication to the additional hands, cards are added to those hand(s). The outcome of the first hand is the best five card hand as originally dealt.

[0055] In one embodiment, cards may be dealt face-down and then turned over instead of being dealt face-up.

[0056] In one embodiment, one or more cards may be pre-dealt to the second or other additional hands. The player may then select the cards from the first hand which, when used with the pre-dealt cards in the second hand, form the best second hand.

[0057] After the multiple hands of poker are created, it is determined if the player is a winner of the game. Preferably, each hand of cards is evaluated against a one or more winning hands or combinations of cards. If any of the hands of cards comprises a predetermined winning hand of cards, then the player may be declared a winner. The combinations of cards comprising predetermined winning hands of cards may be varied. The predetermined winning hands may comprise one or more of the well-known card combinations in poker, having the also well-known hand rankings. As described in detail below, the determination of whether a hand is a winning hand is preferably made against a set of poker rules which have been selected to apply to the hand.

[0058] One embodiment of the invention comprises a multi-hand poker game in which different rules apply to at least two of the hands. In one embodiment, these rules define different sets of predetermined winning combinations. In one embodiment, the different rules are associated with different variations of poker. Those versions may include the use of different cards or cards having different values, such as wild cards including Jokers, One-eyed Jacks or the like. The rules may correspond to well known versions of poker such as, for example, Jacks or Better, Jokers Wild, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild, Deuces Deluxe, Deuces and Jokers, Sevens Wild, Double Joker, Tens or Better, Aces & Eights, and others.

[0059] In accordance with the invention, the outcome of each hand is compared to the set of rules which apply to that hand, in order to determine if the hand is a winning hand. For example, set forth below are exemplary payout tables for winning hands in several of the above-referenced game variations (for a maximum bet of 5 coins or credits): TABLE 1 Jacks or Double Bonus Poker Hand Better Deuces Wild Bonus Poker Poker Royal Flush 4000 4000 4000 4000 Royal Flush w 2 n/a 125 n/a n/a Straight Flush 250 45 250 250 5 of a Kind n/a 75 n/a n/a Four Aces 125 25 400 800 Four 3's-4's 125 25 200 400 Four 2's 125 1000 200 400 Four 5's-K's 125 25 125 250 Full House 45 15 40 35 Flush 30 10 25 25 Straight 20 10 20 20 Three of a Kind 15 5 15 15 Two Pair 10 0 10 5 Jacks or Better 5 0 5 5

[0060] In this manner, the outcome of each hand may vary. For example, if two hands were played and both resulted in a high hand of a Pair of Jacks, if the rules of Jacks or Better applied to one hand, that hand would be a winner with a payout of 5 credits. If the rules of Deuces Wild applied to the other hand, that hand would be a losing hand.

[0061] One aspect of the invention is a method of playing a game in which each hand of a multi-hand poker game may have different rules applied thereto. Another aspect is a method of playing a game in which the method of creating each hand is customized based upon the rules applicable thereto.

[0062] One example of an aspect of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. In this version of the game, the hands are created in a manner similar to that described above and illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3B. In addition, in this method, a player may attempt to structure each of their hands with regard to the particular version of poker or the rules which apply to that hand.

[0063] In the embodiment, in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the rules of Jacks or Better apply to a first hand 100 b while any pair is a winning in a second hand 200 b. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the player has been dealt a hand which provides no winning combination of cards in the first hand 100 b. The player has been dealt a pair of Sevens, however, which define a winning hand if those cards were in the second hand 200 b. As such, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the player selects the Sevens and moves those cards to the second hand 200 b. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the player has also discarded all but the Jack of Diamonds from the first hand 100 b.

[0064] Once the remaining cards are dealt to fill the first and second hands 100 b,200 b, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, the player has received a pair of Jacks in the first hand 100 b, and still has a pair of Sevens in the second hand 200 b. As a result, the player has obtained a winning combination of cards in both hands 100 b,200 b. The winnings paid (if any) for these winning results may be the same or may vary, depending on the paytable associated with the different rules applicable to the hands.

[0065] In one embodiment of the invention, a set of rules may be randomly assigned to each hand of the game. For example, the gaming controller may be configured to assign the rules which are applicable to each hand of the game.

[0066] In another embodiment, the player may be permitted to select the rules which they wish to apply to each hand. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in one variation, a plurality of buttons or input areas area providing corresponding to particular game variations for each hand. In the embodiment illustrated, a player is playing two hands 500 a,500 b. The player has the opportunity, preferably at the beginning of game play before any cards are dealt or shown, to make a selection of the particular variation of the game to apply to the two hands 500 a,500 b. In the variation illustrated, input areas 600 a,b,c,d are provided for the selections for the first hand 500 a, and input areas 700 a,b,c,d are provided for the selections for the second hand 500 b. There may be any number of selections and the selections may vary. The number of selections for each hand may vary, as may the particular selections for each hand. As illustrated, four selections are provided.

[0067] In accordance with a method, a player makes a selection of a game variation or game rules to apply to each hand 500 a,500 b (or more hands, if additional hands exist). Preferably, the play of the game then proceeds as described above.

[0068] In one variation, a player may not make the same game selection for any two hands. As an example, if the player selected “Deuces Wild” 600 a to apply to the first hand 500 a, the player could not make the same selection for the second hand 500 b. In one embodiment, once a particular selection is made in one hand, that selection may be removed or otherwise indicated as not permitted in all other hands (such as by shading the selection, etc.). In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the game comprises the play of distinct hands having distinct rules applying thereto.

[0069] Many unique and exciting aspects of the game will now be appreciated. First, a game is provided which comprises the generally simultaneous play of at least two hands of cards, and which also provides the opportunity for more than one winning event.

[0070] Second, in one or more embodiments, a game is provided which allows a player to form a particular strategy for attempting to form winning hands by varying the cards which are used in the hands. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A-C, the player elected to try for a Royal Flush in the second hand of cards, and a Full House in the first hand of cards. In this manner, the player attempted to try for a low percentage hand (Royal Flush), and a higher percentage odds hand (Full House). It will be appreciated that the ability to hold/select different cards for the first and second hands also allows a player to avoid trying to receive the same combination of cards in both hands, when once the cards are dealt and the winning hand is received in one hand, the other hand can not be the same. For example, if the player elected to use the Jack, Queen and King of Diamonds in both hands illustrated in FIG. 2B, then after the cards are dealt, both hands can not result in a Royal Flush, since only a single Ace and Ten of Diamonds remain (when using a single deck of cards). The remaining cards dealt to the other hand would then not result in the other hand comprising a Royal Flush.

[0071] The player may also adjust their play strategy based upon the rules which are applied to each hand. For example, if the player knows the rules of Deuces Wild is applied to a hand, they should try for a minimum hand of a three of a kind in order to win the hand, whereas if Jacks or better applied, a pair of Jacks or better would be sufficient.

[0072] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the player is provided with an opportunity to see five of the cards of the deck and select particular cards to use in a second hand and to hold in a first hand to generate a plurality of optimized winning possibilities.

[0073] In another embodiment of the invention when the game is presented on a gaming machine including a controller/computer, an “autoplay” game feature may be included. In accordance with this feature, the computer may be configured to automate play by employing a game strategy to select cards to be held (or other selections to be made) in order to form the hands.

[0074] For instance, in the example game play described above, the computer may be configured to select the games/rules to be applied to each hand, and then be configured to select none, one or more cards from the first hand to be duplicated into the second hand (and cards to be duplicated into other hands, such as a third hand, a fourth hand or the like if additional hands are being played). The computer also selects the none, one or more cards from the first hand which are to be held. Replacement cards are then dealt in place of discarded cards in the first hand and additional cards are dealt as necessary to fill the second or other additional hands. In this embodiment, the method of play is generally the same, except that the selection of cards to be duplicated and cards to be held is automated and performed by the computer instead of the player. In this embodiment, the computer may be programmed to select cards in a variety of fashions, including based upon odds of receiving hands, payouts for winning hands, or other criteria.

[0075] Of course, other variations of the method of play are contemplated. For example, a player may not be required to place a bet to participate in the play of hands other than the first hand. However, the payout for receiving a winning hand in other than the first hand and/or the criteria for determining if a winning hand is received in other than the first hand may be varied.

[0076] In one embodiment, a player is only required to place a single bet, but may participate in more than one hand, such as two or three hands as desired. In such event, the play of the hands is as described above. However, the determination of whether a winning hand has been received differs. If the player receives a predetermined winning hand in the first hand, i.e. the hand which the player paid to play, then the player is paid an award in the normal fashion. Any additional hands other than the first hand are not deemed to comprise a winning hand unless the hand is a predetermined winning hand and has a ranking greater than the ranking of any cards which were duplicated in to that hand from the first hand.

[0077] As an example, the player may be dealt a first hand comprising Ace, Ace, Seven, Eight, King. The player may elect to duplicate the two Aces into the second hand. After additional cards are dealt to the player, the resulting second hand may comprise Ace, Ace, Two, Three, Jack, or a hand rank of a pair of Aces. However, this pair of Aces was received by duplication from cards of the first hand, and therefore the second hand is not deemed a winning hand. On the other hand, after additional cards are dealt to the player, the resulting second hand may comprise Ace, Ace, Jack, Jack, Jack, or a Full House. In such event, the resulting hand is greater in rank than the rank of any hand which could be formed from the cards which were duplicated (i.e. a Full House has a greater rank than a pair of Aces). Therefore, the second hand is deemed a winning hand.

[0078] In a preferred arrangement of this embodiment, when the player receives a winning hand in other than the first hand, the player is paid a winning which is reduced in comparison to a winning which is paid for a hand of the same rank when received when the player has placed a bet to play the additional hand. For example, in one embodiment, a player may be paid a winning amount of 100 coins for receiving a Four of a Kind in other than the first hand when the player has placed a single coin bet on that additional hand. In the embodiment where the player has placed a bet on only the first hand and receives a Four of a Kind winning hand in the second hand (i.e. not simply as a result of card duplication from the first hand), the player may only be paid 50 coins.

[0079] In another embodiment, when the player has not placed a bet on the additional hand, the combination of cards or the hands which are deemed to comprise predetermined winning combinations may comprise fewer combinations of cards. For example, when a player has placed a bet on a hand, a hand having a rank as low as a pair of Jacks may be deemed a winning hand. In the event a player has not placed a bet, a winning hand may only be a hand having a rank of two pair or greater.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, indicia other than cards may be used in the play of the game. For example, a variety of symbols may be used. In that event, the outcome of each “hand” or combination of symbols may be made by comparison to combinations of symbols which are deemed winning combinations.

[0081] It will be appreciated that the manner by which different cards are used in the hands may vary. For example, in one embodiment, the replacement or additional cards which are dealt to each hand may be dealt from different decks or sets of cards. One deck may include Jokers, for example, while the deck or sets that another hand's replacement/additional cards are dealt may not.

[0082] Preferably, the rules which apply to each game (either by selection or assignment) are displayed to the player before the hands are played. In another embodiment, the rules may not be displayed or may only be displayed once the hands are completed.

[0083] As part of the formation of the multiple hands of cards, other variations for forming poker hands may be implemented. For example, the hands may simply be dealt “5-card stud” style. They may also be dealt 7-card style, or in manners including house or common cards.

[0084] It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatus and the method therefrom are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 

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 14. Cancelled.
 15. Cancelled.
 16. Cancelled.
 17. Cancelled.
 18. Cancelled.
 19. Cancelled.
 20. Cancelled.
 21. A method of playing a game comprising: dealing a set of cards; selecting a variation of game rules to apply to a first hand and selecting a variation of game rules to apply to a second hand; selecting cards from said set of cards to be used in said first hand and displaying those cards as part of said first hand of cards; selecting cards from said set of cards to be used in said second hand and displaying those cards as part of said second hand of cards; adding cards to said first hand to complete said first hand of a predetermined plurality of cards; adding cards to said second hand to complete said second hand of a predetermined plurality of cards; and determining if said first hand comprises a predetermined combination of winning cards by application of said variation of game rules applying to said first hand and determining if said second hand comprises a predetermined combination of winning cards by application of said variation of game rules to said second hand.
 22. The method in accordance with claim 21 wherein a first variation of game rules apply to said first hand and a second variation of game rules apply to said second hand, said first and second variations differing from one another.
 23. The method in accordance with claim 22 wherein said first and second variations define different winning combinations of cards.
 24. The method in accordance with claim 21 including the step of placing a wager.
 25. The method in accordance with claim 24 including the step of paying an award if said first or second hand comprises a predetermined combination of winning cards.
 26. The method in accordance with claim 21 wherein said first and second hands each have five cards.
 27. The method in accordance with claim 21 including the step of placing a first wager associated with said first hand and a second wager associated with said second hand.
 28. The method in accordance with claim 24 including the step of paying a first winning amount for a predetermined winning combination received in a hand on which a wager was placed and paying a second winning amount for said predetermined winning combination received in a hand on which a wager was not placed.
 29. The method in accordance with claim 28 wherein said second winning amount is less than said first winning amount.
 30. The method in accordance with claim 21 wherein a first set of predetermined hands comprises a winning outcome for said first hand and a second set of predetermined hands comprises a winning outcomes for said second hand and said step of determining said first or second hands comprise a predetermined combination of winning cards comprises determining if said first hand comprises one of said first set of predetermined hands and determining if said second hand comprises one of said second set of predetermined hands.
 31. A method of playing a game comprising the steps: placing a wager; selecting a first variation of game rules defining a first set of winning card combinations to a first hand and selecting a second variation of game rules defining a second set of winning card combinations to at least one additional hand; dealing a set of five cards; selecting one or more cards from said set of five cards to be used in said first hand and displaying the selected cards as part of said first hand of five cards; selecting one or more cards from said set of five cards to be used in at least one additional hand and displaying the selected cards as part of at least one additional hand of five cards; adding cards, as necessary, to said first hand to complete said first hand of a five cards; adding cards, as necessary, to each additional hand to complete each additional hand of five cards; determining if said first hand comprises one of said first set of winning card combinations; and determining if said second hand comprises one of said second set of winning card combinations.
 32. The method in accordance with claim 31 wherein said dealt set of five cards is dealt as said first hand and said step of selecting comprises holding one, one or more cards from said cards dealt as said first hand as cards to be retained in said first hand.
 33. The method in accordance with claim 31 including the step of paying an award or winning for a predetermined combination of winning cards.
 34. The method in accordance with claim 31 wherein said set of cards are dealt face up.
 35. The method in accordance with claim 31 wherein said dealt and additional cards are from a single deck of cards.
 36. The method in accordance with claim 31 wherein said method is implemented on a computer controlled gaming machine having a display.
 37. A method of playing a game of multi-hand poker comprising: accepting a wager to play multiple hands of poker; assigning a first variation of game rules to at least a first poker hand, the first variation including a first paytable of winnings for winning card combinations; assigning a second variation of game rules to at least a second poker hand, the second variation including a second paytable of winnings for winning card combinations; forming at least one first poker hand; forming at least one second poker hand; determining if said at least one first poker hand comprises a winning card combination in accordance with said first variation of game rules and paying winnings in accordance with said first paytable for any winning card combinations; and determining if said at least one second poker hand comprises a winning card combination in accordance with said second variation of game rules and paying winnings in accordance with said second paytable for any winning card combinations.
 38. The method in accordance with claim 37 wherein said step of forming at least one first poker hand comprises dealing a plurality of cards, selecting one or more cards to hold and replacing cards which are not held.
 39. The method in accordance with claim 38 wherein said step of forming said at least one second poker hand comprises duplicating each card held from said at least one first poker hand into said second hand and adding any additional cards necessary to form said at least one second hand.
 40. A method of playing a game comprising the steps of: accepting a wager; presenting a player with the opportunity to form multiple poker hands; assigning a set of game rules to each poker hand, the set of game rules selected from a number of different sets of game rules; forming the multiple poker hands; and determining the outcome of each of said multiple poker hands by comparison of each hand to the set of game rules assigned thereto.
 41. The method in accordance with claim 40 wherein said player is presented the opportunity to play at least three poker hands.
 42. The method in accordance with claim 40 wherein said step of forming said multiple poker hands includes the opportunity to use one or more of the same cards in more than one of said hands. 